The best tricks for shinier hair

Smooth, shiny hair is a sign of beauty and health. Your mane, just like your skin, reflects your inner state. Lack of sleep, poor diet or a sedentary lifestyle take their toll on your hair. So, it follows that healthy, shiny locks start with a balanced diet rich in nutrients, avoiding alcohol and tobacco and incorporating physical exercise into our lives. But let’s start with this: what does it mean to have a shiny head of hair? Trichologist (hair and scalp expert) Andrea Combalia lays it out for us: “Hair shines when the cuticle, which is the most superficial layer of the hair fiber, is intact. This can be difficult, given that hair is composed of overlapping scales similar to roof tiles, which are all oriented towards the tip of the strand. If they are perfect, their surface reflects light and shines; but if they are irregular, their scales will be raised, scattering light and leaving the hair looking dull, drab and rough.”

Keep in mind that the cuticle is the layer that receives all external manhandling, and any other impacts. That’s why finding the ideal routine that will bring you shine is an uphill battle. In reality, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and potential routines can vary based on hair type, the kind of environment you live in and the way you brush your hair. To treat a dull mane, it is important to understand why it’s lacking shine in the first place. According to hairdresser Arturo Rosaleñ, who founded the salon that bears his name, “its origin comes from several factors, including dryness, nutritional deficiencies and improper product application.” While all that can sound overwhelming, there are ways to combat each of these issues. Experts gave us the keys to achieving more long-lasting shine.

Avoid excessive hair-washing

Over-washing hair, no matter what type it is, can cause a lack of moisture that leaves it dull and lifeless. As Eduardo Sánchez, owner of Maison Eduardo Sánchez, says, “avoid washing daily for two reasons: firstly, because water makes the hair swell, which forces the cuticle upwards and makes the hair break easily. Secondly, because when you wash it every day, you strip it of natural oils and proteins that both the hair and scalp need to stay healthy. The curlier it is, the more you can space out the cleansing: curls prevent the oils in hair from reaching its roots and therefore, prevent the hair from getting dirty. On the other hand, the finer and straighter your hair, the faster it absorbs oil and becomes greasy. In those cases, it’s ideal to use mild shampoos and to space out washings at least one day apart. If you have dyed hair, washings should also be spaced out to prevent the hair from over-drying and your color from fading.”

Use a heat protector

One of the main causes of dull hair is excessive use of heat-styling tools, especially on fine hair that is more prone to damage from heat styling or chemical treatments. The solution involves applying a heat protectant. “The use of heat protectants is mandatory to keep hair radiant and healthy when heat-styling tools are used. But just as important as applying it, you have to apply it well and generously. Separate small sections of hair and spray each section up and down with two or three sprays. When you’re done, comb through to distribute the formula well. These products are useless if you don’t apply them all over the hair,” says Sánchez.

Refresh with a clarifying shampoo

Using a clarifying shampoo one a month cleanses the scalp and hair of dirt, oil, product buildup and anything else that detracts from its shine. “This technique consists of washing with a shampoo with high cleansing power to remove all residue on the hair and scalp. Do it when you notice that your hair is saturated, dull or heavy. Ideally, every three to four weeks, but it can be done every time it is needed,” says Yolanda Izquierdo, hair expert at Montebello.

Reduce chemical treatments

Frequent use of hair dyes, straighteners and perms can damage the hair cuticle and cause it to lose its natural shine. This is why the frequency with which we perform these treatments must be taken into account. Experts agree that spacing out the times you dye your hair, whenever possible, can help to limit damage. Miguel Bling, hairdresser at Madrid’s You Glow Salon, says “not all chemical treatments are the same. Some are scientifically formulated to repair the hair fiber, such as those containing plex. There are many chemical components that, far from being harmful, are beneficial. The best lines combine natural ingredients with chemistry and science to achieve more potent and effective formulas. In addition, another easy way to take care of hair between dyes is to perform a repair treatment to close the open cuticle. This ensures that water and lipids are sealed inside.

Sleep with a silk pillow case

It’s a fact: silk pillowcases are gentler on the hair and help reduce breakage and frizz, thereby keeping the cuticle intact. “I always recommend sleeping with silk pillowcases because cotton absorbs moisture, reduces shine, dries out the hair and makes it vulnerable to frizz. One of the properties of silk pillows is that they regulate and decrease hair sebum production. Ideally, sleep with your hair in a loose ponytail to avoid frizz and tangles. It’s an easy way to help hair shine without adding any steps to your styling routine,” says Alberto Sanguino, director of education at Llongueras.

Give your hair the pampering it deserves

Once or twice a week, make time for a deep treatment. “Both for the scalp — nourishing it, detoxifying it and keeping it free of impurities so that it absorbs nutrients better — and to take care of the hair from the mid-lengths to the ends. Hair scrubs, masks, oils and massaging brushes. Any extra pampering is welcome, and makes a difference in the long run,” says Sánchez. More than anything else, the mask is your essential ally in deeply moisturizing and repairing your hair. “But you have to choose one according to your needs and apply to towel-dried hair, because if the hair is very wet, the water prevents the product from penetrating the hair fiber and the action is much less effective,” says Sánchez.

High-quality tools

Something as simple as brushing makes a big difference when your goal is to achieve extra shine. “Clients always want the best products to take care of their color, and don’t mind spending money on a good flat iron or blow dryer — but they still think that any brush will do. Having an attached cuticle is as simple as brushing your hair with good products, at a regular frequency and with the correct movements. In addition, good brushing allows sebum to be evenly distributed from root to tip. And detangling is not the same as brushing. For this reason, we must have two types of brushes. One, specifically for detangling and the other, for brushing. My favorite is the Termix Pure Nature brush with high-performance ionized nylon fibers,” says stylist Pablo Bogado, Wella and Termix ambassador.

Vitamins from A and B groups are great allies

At the end of the day, the best way to get long-lasting, brilliant hair is to give your body the nutrients it needs to start shining from the inside out. Verónica Mora, from Martiderm’s research and development department, clarifies which supplements are a must. “Group B vitamins, which are present in whole grains, eggs, nuts and milk, are necessary for strong hair. Among them, biotin, folic acid and cyanocobalamin contribute to the production of keratin, strengthen the hair shafts and help metabolize amino acids, basic components for hair. In addition, broccoli, spinach, carrots and cabbage rich in Vitamin A are important because their deficiency causes dryness. Nuts, meat, legumes and milk contain minerals like selenium and zinc, which help to process proteins.” She adds, “food supplements like Martiderm’s Hair System capsules contain B vitamins, vitamin A, selenium, zinc, keratin, cystine and nutrients that help strengthen hair from the inside.”

Perfect your brushing technique

To keep hair shiny, healthy and untangled, the experts we consulted agree that you should brush it twice a day, in the morning and at night before going to bed, for one minute. “It should be done from the bottom and upwards, because if you brush from the root, you damage the hair. In addition, when the hair is wet, you have to use wide-toothed combs because it is more fragile and tends to break. Therefore, the ideal way to facilitate detangling is to brush it before washing. At night, we can practice our grandmothers’ habit of brushing our hair before bed. This simple gesture removes dirt, distributes natural oils down the length and stimulates blood circulation, helping nutrients to better reach the hair follicle. If you add a hair massage, shiny hair is almost guaranteed,” says Sánchez.

Try a humidifier

The key to achieving and maintaining shiny hair is to retain moisture, and a humidifier is a great way to keep the environment from getting too dry, especially in the winter. “For someone who has dry skin or hair, something that often causes dullness, using a humidifier helps to reduce dryness and leaves hair looking shinier,” says Bling. In addition, humidifiers improve overall well-being by promoting better sleep, relieving seasonal allergies and reducing snoring.

Invest in a professional color treatment

No matter how skilled you are, we can’t underestimate the power of professional coloring to achieve shiny hair in record time. “One of the most requested techniques in our salons is Gloss, a light injection used to prolong the shine of your dye or revive your natural color. It is a semi-permanent coloring that forms a layer on the hair for a very shiny effect. It is an ammonia-free coloring with a much lower oxidation index than traditional hair dyes, so there is no need to worry about the appearance of roots as the hair grows,” explains Ana Martínez, education manager at Jean Louis David.

Don’t let three months pass without getting it cut

The foundation for shiny hair is strong hair, and the best you can do to encourage its strength is to keep split ends at bay with frequent trims. “Healthy hair demands regularly trimmed ends. Don’t forget to schedule upcoming visits to keep it looking its best,” says Sánchez.

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